PH eyes local ammunition production as part of stronger defense strategy with US
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel 'Babe' Romualdez said the government is open to hosting such a facility, describing it as a strategic move that aligns both with national security goals and economic development.
'Obviously, we're open to that one, because it's a good way of being able to help a combination of both defense and economic cooperation between the Philippines and the United States,' Romualdez told members of the Philippine media delegation.
'So, setting up a production facility in the Philippines, would obviously be beneficial for us economically also because it will create a job, and it will obviously be a good hub for them to be able to produce what it requires for our defense,' he added.
He added that several Filipino companies are already showing interest in joining a potential consortium should the plan move forward.
The idea gained traction after the US House Committee on Appropriations, in a June 16 report, tasked the US Department of Defense to assess the viability of setting up a joint ammunition manufacturing and storage facility in Subic Bay.
The facility would allow for forward deployment of munitions and critical materials like nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin.
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